Paris show: Chevrolet Camaro

The Chevrolet Camaro may seem inappropriate, given the global financial crisis and the cost of fuel in Europe, but this reworking of an American automotive icon has caused something of sensation here at Paris.

This is the first time the production Camaro has made an appearance in Europe, and GM is using the range-topping SS to launch the car here. Mobbed directly after its unveiling on the first press day, the Camaro proves there is still an appetite for big-engined sports cars.

Chevrolet hasn’t decided if it can afford to convert to right hand drive yet, although technically it isn’t too difficult. The Camaro is based on the Holden-developed VE platform, also used for the Vauxhall VXR8 which comes in right hand drive.

However Chevrolet can import up to 1000 cars under the Single Vehicle Approval rules, so that many left-hookers should arrive straight away.

The Camaro SS is the range-topping V8 option, with the same 6.2-litre LS3 V8 used in the Corvette and the Vauxhall VXR8. That provides 422hp and 408lb ft. It gets four-pot Brembo brakes, 20-inch wheels and the option of a new six-speed automatic transmission. Lesser Camaros use a 3.6-litre V6 with 300hp and 273lb ft.

There’s no guarantee the Chevrolet Camaro will eventually come in right-hand drive but it is definitely coming to the UK – and it could cost as little as £30,000, providing the pound gains some of its strength against the dollar.